1954 BMW 502 Coupe
Photo: NetCarShow

BMW has built the 5 Series since 1954. Autoknowtive’s catalog has 29 of them, from the 1954 BMW 502 Coupe to the 2024 BMW 5-Series. Body styles here: Coupé, Wagon and Hatchback. Sold new in North America, Europe and Asia.
Power went from 120 hp in the 1954 502 Coupe to 197 hp in the 2024 5-Series. It got heavier along the way: 1,455 kg for the 1954 car, 1,925 kg for the 2021. The most powerful here is the 2013 BMW M550d xDrive at 381 hp (284 kW), more than 79% of the cars in the catalog. Quickest from 0 to 62 mph: the 2013 BMW M550d xDrive, in 4.9 s.
Photo: NetCarShow
Photo: NetCarShow
The BMW 503 is a two door 2+2 seater sports car unveiled by BMW at the 1955 Frankfurt Motor Show. Production got under way during the summer of 1956, and by 1959, when the BMW 503 was withdrawn, 413 had been built, including 139 cabriolets.
Text: press release via NetCarShow
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In 1972, the New Class was replaced by the first BMW 5-Series (E12). The designation of the BMW model series still used today was introduced here and this model also launched a new stylistic era for BMW.
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A collaboration with BMW Motorsport GmbH launched the Type M535i as the flagship model of this series in 1979. The car was powered by a 3.5 litre engine and featured particularly exclusive equipment.
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The second-generation BMW 5-Series was launched on the market in 1981 and many improvements were introduced particularly in the area of engineering. BMW launched innovations like the anti-lock braking system, check control and digital engine electronics to the 5-Series.
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BMW 528i was positioned in the middle of the model series and developed into the most successful model in this BMW 5-Series on the basis of a balanced overall concept.
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With the 540i, BMW retained the front steering and suspension from the previous E34 540i with the design based on the E38 7 Series.
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In order to enhance driving dynamics and safety, the body of the BMW 5-Series Touring featured a 50 percent higher torsional stiffness than the predecessor model.
Text: press release via NetCarShow
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The BMW E60/E61 series is the fifth generation of the BMW 5 Series, which was sold from 2003 to 2010. It was launched in the sedan body style, with the "Touring" (wagon/estate) body style introduced in 2004.
Text: press release via NetCarShow
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BMW 545i is powered by BMW's advanced 4.4-liter N62 V8 engine, which delivers 325 hp.
Text: press release via NetCarShow
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It was launched in the sedan body style, with the "Touring" (wagon/estate) body style introduced in 2004. The E60/E61 was replaced by the F10/F11 5 Series in 2010.
Text: press release via NetCarShow
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The perfect combination of driving dynamics and motoring comfort is now available in truly impressive style: Focusing exclusively on the Chinese market, German premium carmaker BMW has developed three brand-new models.
Text: press release via NetCarShow
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With the BMW 5-Series Security, BMW offers an armoured sedan in the premium segment of the upper medium category. Thanks to their unique security concept, the BMW 550i Security and the BMW 530i Security guarantee effective protection from criminal attacks.
Text: press release via NetCarShow
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The BMW 5-Series is the only car in its segment available with a Head-Up Display.
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A genuine BMW offering new options and features in truly fascinating style and diversity - this is the BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo Concept.
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The BMW 5-Series ActiveHybrid Concept offers a particularly good rendition of the new BMW 5-Series Sedan in all its dynamic, efficient and innovative qualities, at the same time representing the ongoing development of the BMW X6 ActiveHybrid and the BMW 7 ActiveHybrid with their drivetrain technology already in production.
Text: press release via NetCarShow
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BMW is once again defining a brand-new segment in the automobile market. The BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo combines elegance, space, comfort and variability in truly unique style.
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The world debut of the new BMW 5-Series Sedan marks the epitome of modern design and driving pleasure in the world of premium midsize sedans. Through its athletic and executive looks, driving dynamics typical of BMW, and innovative comfort and safety features, the sixth generation of BMW's executive express accurately reflects the standards upheld by the world's most successful manufacturer of premium cars.
Text: press release via NetCarShow
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World premiere of the new BMW 5-Series Long-Wheelbase: Developed and built exclusively for the Chinese car market, this truly exclusive sedan sets new standards in aesthetics, driving pleasure and comfort in the premium business sedan segment.
Text: press release via NetCarShow
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The new BMW 5-Series Touring is the perfect symbiosis of driving pleasure, efficiency, versatility and sporting elegance. The 4th generation of the Business Touring convinces through powerful design aesthetics, modern premium-level functionality and brand-typical driving dynamics combined with exemplary efficiency.
Text: press release via NetCarShow
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The BMW M550d xDrive Sedan goes from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.7 seconds, while the BMW M550d xDrive Touring records 4.9 seconds for the same sprint.
Text: press release via NetCarShow
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The BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo combines signature BMW proportions with an innovative body concept.
Text: press release via NetCarShow
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The design of the new BMW 5-Series Sedan exudes athletic prowess, elegance and stylistic assurance. The new model therefore remains the quintessential sporting business sedan.
Text: press release via NetCarShow
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The new BMW M550i xDrive is the first BMW 5-Series M Performance model to be powered by a petrol engine, namely a specifically modified M Performance TwinPower Turbo eight-cylinder unit with a displacement of 4.4 litres.
Text: press release via NetCarShow
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The gracefully sporting, modern appearance of the new BMW 5-Series is enhanced at the rear of both the Sedan and Touring models by clear surfacing with minimalist lines.
Text: press release via NetCarShow
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The heightened presence of the new BMW 5-Series is underscored by the athletic proportions and the larger exterior dimensions compared to the previous generation.
Text: press release via NetCarShow
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| Car | Power | Torque | 0–62 mph | Top speed | Weight | Engine | Drive | Gearbox | EPA combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1954 502 Coupe | 120 hp (89 kW) | 154 lb-ft (209 Nm) | — | 106 mph (171 km/h) | 1,455 kg (3,208 lb) | 3.2 L V8 | Rear Wheel Drive | 4-speed manual | — |
| 1975 5-Series | 178 hp (133 kW) | 185 lb-ft (251 Nm) | 9.3 s | 124 mph (200 km/h) | 1,560 kg (3,439 lb) | 3.0 L inline-6 | Rear Wheel Drive | 4-speed manual | — |
| 1980 M535i | 178 hp (133 kW) | 185 lb-ft (251 Nm) | 9.3 s | 124 mph (200 km/h) | 1,560 kg (3,439 lb) | 3.0 L inline-6 | Rear Wheel Drive | 4-speed manual | — |
| 1983 5-Series | 115 hp (86 kW) | 155 lb-ft (210 Nm) | 12.9 s | 112 mph (180 km/h) | 1,300 kg (2,866 lb) | 2.4 L inline-6 | Rear Wheel Drive | 5-speed manual | — |
| 1996 5-Series | 143 hp (107 kW) | 192 lb-ft (260 Nm) | 11.6 s | 126 mph (203 km/h) | 1,590 kg (3,505 lb) | 2.5 L inline-6 | Rear Wheel Drive | 5-speed manual | — |
| 2001 5 Series | 193 hp (144 kW) | 302 lb-ft (409 Nm) | 7.8 s | 143 mph (230 km/h) | 1,700 kg (3,748 lb) | 2.9 L inline-6 | Rear Wheel Drive | 5-speed manual | 21 mpg |
| 2001 540i Protection | 193 hp (144 kW) | 302 lb-ft (409 Nm) | 7.8 s | 143 mph (230 km/h) | 1,700 kg (3,748 lb) | 2.9 L inline-6 | Rear Wheel Drive | 5-speed manual | 21 mpg |
| 2002 5-Series Touring | 193 hp (144 kW) | 302 lb-ft (409 Nm) | 7.8 s | 143 mph (230 km/h) | 1,700 kg (3,748 lb) | 2.9 L inline-6 | Rear Wheel Drive | 5-speed manual | 22 mpg |
| 2004 530i | 272 hp (203 kW) | 413 lb-ft (560 Nm) | 6.6 s | 155 mph (249 km/h) | 1,730 kg (3,814 lb) | 3.0 L inline-6 | Rear Wheel Drive | 6-speed automatic | 21 mpg |
| 2005 545i | 272 hp (203 kW) | 413 lb-ft (560 Nm) | 6.6 s | 155 mph (249 km/h) | 1,730 kg (3,814 lb) | 3.0 L inline-6 | Rear Wheel Drive | 6-speed automatic | 19 mpg |
| 2005 545i Touring | 272 hp (203 kW) | 413 lb-ft (560 Nm) | 6.6 s | 155 mph (249 km/h) | 1,730 kg (3,814 lb) | 3.0 L inline-6 | Rear Wheel Drive | 6-speed automatic | 21 mpg |
| 2007 530Li | 286 hp (213 kW) | 428 lb-ft (580 Nm) | 6.5 s | 155 mph (249 km/h) | 1,735 kg (3,825 lb) | 3.0 L inline-6 | Rear Wheel Drive | 6-speed automatic | 22 mpg |
| 2008 5-Series Security | 286 hp (213 kW) | 428 lb-ft (580 Nm) | 6.5 s | 155 mph (249 km/h) | 1,735 kg (3,825 lb) | 3.0 L inline-6 | Rear Wheel Drive | 6-speed automatic | 21 mpg |
| 2008 5-Series Touring | 286 hp (213 kW) | 428 lb-ft (580 Nm) | 6.5 s | 155 mph (249 km/h) | 1,735 kg (3,825 lb) | 3.0 L inline-6 | Rear Wheel Drive | 6-speed automatic | 21 mpg |
| 2009 5-Series Gran Turismo | 313 hp (233 kW) | 465 lb-ft (630 Nm) | 5.6 s | 155 mph (249 km/h) | 2,035 kg (4,486 lb) | 3.0 L inline-6 | All Wheel Drive | 8-speed automatic (Steptronic) | — |
| 2010 5-Series ActiveHybrid | 313 hp (233 kW) | 465 lb-ft (630 Nm) | 5.5 s | 155 mph (249 km/h) | 1,840 kg (4,057 lb) | 3.0 L Inline 6 | All Wheel Drive | Eight-speed automatic with Steptronic | — |
| 2010 5-Series Gran Turismo | 313 hp (233 kW) | 465 lb-ft (630 Nm) | 5.6 s | 155 mph (249 km/h) | 2,035 kg (4,486 lb) | 3.0 L inline-6 | All Wheel Drive | 8-speed automatic (Steptronic) | 22 mpg |
| 2011 5-Series | 313 hp (233 kW) | 465 lb-ft (630 Nm) | 5.5 s | 155 mph (249 km/h) | 1,840 kg (4,057 lb) | 3.0 L Inline 6 | All Wheel Drive | Eight-speed automatic with Steptronic | 25 mpg |
| 2011 5-Series Long-Wheelbase | 313 hp (233 kW) | 465 lb-ft (630 Nm) | 5.5 s | 155 mph (249 km/h) | 1,840 kg (4,057 lb) | 3.0 L Inline 6 | All Wheel Drive | Eight-speed automatic with Steptronic | 25 mpg |
| 2011 5-Series Touring | 313 hp (233 kW) | 465 lb-ft (630 Nm) | 5.5 s | 155 mph (249 km/h) | 1,840 kg (4,057 lb) | 3.0 L Inline 6 | All Wheel Drive | Eight-speed automatic with Steptronic | 25 mpg |
| 2013 M550d xDrive | 381 hp (284 kW) | 546 lb-ft (740 Nm) | 4.9 s | 155 mph (249 km/h) | 1,990 kg (4,387 lb) | 3.0 L inline-6 | All Wheel Drive | 8-speed automatic | 27 mpg |
| 2014 5-Series Gran Turismo | 313 hp (233 kW) | 465 lb-ft (630 Nm) | 5.6 s | 155 mph (249 km/h) | 2,035 kg (4,486 lb) | 3.0 L inline-6 | All Wheel Drive | Eight-speed automatic transmission with Steptronic function | 22 mpg |
| 2017 5-Series | 265 hp (198 kW) | 457 lb-ft (620 Nm) | 5.6 s | 155 mph (249 km/h) | 1,875 kg (4,134 lb) | 3.0 L inline-6 | All Wheel Drive | 8-speed automatic (Steptronic) | 27 mpg |
| 2018 530e iPerformance | 265 hp (198 kW) | 457 lb-ft (620 Nm) | 5.6 s | 155 mph (249 km/h) | 1,875 kg (4,134 lb) | 3.0 L inline-6 | All Wheel Drive | 8-speed automatic (Steptronic) | 30 mpg |
| 2018 M550i xDrive | 265 hp (198 kW) | 457 lb-ft (620 Nm) | 5.6 s | 155 mph (249 km/h) | 1,875 kg (4,134 lb) | 3.0 L inline-6 | All Wheel Drive | 8-speed automatic (Steptronic) | 30 mpg |
| 2021 5-Series | 333 hp (248 kW) | 332 lb-ft (450 Nm) | 6.6 s | 155 mph (249 km/h) | 1,925 kg (4,244 lb) | 3.0 L inline-6 | All Wheel Drive | 8-speed automatic Steptronic | 28 mpg |
| 2024 5-Series | 197 hp (147 kW) | 295 lb-ft (400 Nm) | 7.5 s | 135 mph (217 km/h) | — | 2.0 L inline-4 | All Wheel Drive | 8-speed automatic Steptronic | 30 mpg |
Power is the figure quoted for that version. Fuel economy is the best EPA combined rating, US models only.
Cars from other brands in the same class, with similar power and from the same years:
Every car on this page can turn up in the game. Spot It starts with a blurry close-up, Model Year asks you to date the photo, and the Daily gives you six guesses at one car. More BMW models are on the BMW page.